Cycling in Andalucia

Information on Andalucia

History, art, and nature, combined with a southern temperament! Andalusia, the largest autonomous province of Spain, lies inland of the Costa del Sol, the Costa de la Luz, and the Costa de Almería. This is the area of flamenco, bullfights, fiestas, and festivals. It is famous for its lively culture and its wonderful towns, such as Sevilla, Granada, and Cordóba, and, of course, also for its gorgeous white villages in the hills of the Sierra de Grazalema. There is a special ?Route of the White Villages? here, which runs from Arcos de la Frontera to Ronda.

The scenery is diverse: valleys, olive orchards, rugged sierras, desert areas, and large plains, with the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada offering an impressive contrast. Because of the combination of culture, history, and diverse nature, the area has something for everyone. You could go sunbathing on the long sandy beaches, but you could also practise winter sports in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range of Spain (about 62km of ski slopes).

Many different peoples and times have left an impressive heritage, which is reflected in castles, monasteries, palaces, and churches in Renaissance, Baroque, and Moresque styles. If you are looking for culture and history, don't forget to visit the towns of Sevilla, Granada, and Córdoba! Here, you could pay a visit to fascinating Moresque buildings, such as the famous Alhambra in Granada, and the Mezquita in Córdoba, both listed UNESCO World Heritage sites. And you might also enjoy a brimming musical festival or a fiesta...

Andalusia has two national parks, Doòana (in the coastal area of the Costa de la Luz) and Sierra Nevada, both listed UNESCO World Heritage sites, and there are also many other natural parks and reserves, both in the interior and in the coastal areas.

This area is also very suitable for sports activities. In addition to water sports on the coast, you could also practise winter sports, mountain climbing, canoeing of the river of Guadalquivir, speleology, parapenting, horse riding, and golfing. Do keep in mind, though, that in summer temperatures can become fairly high in this southern area.

For more information on the coastal areas of Andalusia, have a look at the region information of the Costa del Sol, the Costa de la Luz, and the Costa de Almería.